A recent “Law & Order” show portraying a leader in a college Christian ministry as anti-homosexual and Christians as "Bible thumpers" is drawing ire from a watchdog group for anti-Christian bigotry.
In the opening of the NBC show's episode last week, a leader in a college Christian ministry, who opposed homosexuality, was portrayed as being guilty of making death threats against a professor studying the "gay gene." The lead detective also refers to Christians as "Bible thumpers."
There is a relentless attempt by the media to stereotype Christians as prone to violence, said Dr. Gary Cass, chairman and CEO of the Christian Anti-Defamation Commission, as he criticized the producers as insensitive.
"There's a tendency on the side of the media to make what I call a 'moral equivalency': If you are a fundamentalist Muslim, you are violent. If you are a fundamentalist Christian, you are violent," he told The Christian Post.
Contrary to the media's portrayal, Christians are often the victims of violence and not the perpetrators, said Cass. He noted that there are rare reports from around the world of Christians murdering a Muslim or a Hindu but frequent news on Hindus murdering Christians.
He added that it is negative portrayals of Christians like that featured in “Law & Order” which are used to "legitimate violence against Christians."
The Christian leader was also stereotyped as being anti-homosexual, which reflects a common perception among young adults, according to a recent study.
A Barna Group survey last September reported that the most common perception among people between 16-29 years old is that present-day Christianity is "anti-homosexual." Around 91 percent of young non-Christians and 80 percent of young churchgoers say this phrase describes Christianity. A majority from both categories also believe that Christians show excessive contempt and unloving attitudes towards gays and lesbians.
Fundamentalist Christians aside, Christians often distinguish the difference between homosexuality as a sin denounced by the Bible and homosexuals as people who should be treated with the love of God.
When asked whether real situations in which Christians exhibit hostility toward homosexuals are possibly reflected in the show, Cass said such instances are "very exceptional."
"Every once in a while, some nutjob Christians will do something stupid," acknowledged the CADC head.
He emphasized that acts of violence against homosexuals or any other groups are "always condemned by Christians.”
“Christians don't condone violence,” he noted.
Also denouncing the media's use of "Bible thumpers," Cass said the label is an attempt to depict people who take the Bible seriously as ignorant.
Cass further noted that the show's coverage on the "gay gene" was misleading because the idea was portrayed as a fact.
"There is no such thing as a gay gene," he said.
He urged Christians to contact NBC and the show's executive producer, Dick Wolf, and tell them to stop bashing Christians.
They should do the show in a way "that is accurate," making it clear that the character's violent act is not representative of Christians, said Cass.
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Wait a tick- Putting more emphasis on Jesus than Paul makes us heretics? Since when? What did I miss? I was taught those Red Letters trump everything, for if Jesus is God, then everything He says takes precedence over everything else.
Is Jesus God or the Son of God?
Watch the following and you will not regret.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXjBnqZ2Ei8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ethvPufd4jA&feature=related
star2: Christ does not say, "Believe in me and be saved" ?
John 3:18Whoever believes in him is not condemned,
Mark 16:16Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved,
Jesus preached "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." That is what we should do. We should repent because the kingdom of heaven is near. But the salvation happens only by Faith which is given, not taken through one's act.
It is core fundamental belief that Christians are saved only by Faith, not by one's doing which repentance is. But Chris333 said, it is NOT by FAITH alone but only FAITH+REPENTANCE.
I can't possible repent my way into heaven. Catholics can? I am too much of a sinner unlike some of you. Only through Faith and Grace of God. I don't repent? No. Repentance is a necessity. Without repentance, I will not be acknowledging his Lordship and Savior. But that don't save me. Only my Faith.
jonathanjkim
Re:Chris333:Christ does not say, "Believe in me and be saved" He says, "Believe in me and repent".
He does? Who taught you that?
The word of God teaches us that.
"Now after that John was put in the wilderness forty days, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, 'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.'" (Mark 1:14-15)
Tonyo
Re: It is your religion; keep it in your church and your home, but out of the public square.
Your homosexuality belongs to you. Keep it in your home and out of the public square.
(Matthew 3)John the Baptist said that the ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. (Jesus Figtree) Bearing fruit is important but question is what FRUIT. (Gal 5) Paul added that fruit of the spirit is LOVE, JOY, PEACE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS, and SELF-CONTROL. Your Bush administration showed NOT ONE of this virtue. You joined Bush and stand in line with him for HATE, DESPAIR, WAR, INCONSIDERATENESS, CONTEMPT, BETRAYAL, ABRASIVENESS, AND SELF-INDULGENCE. Join Politic and you join the devil, includes all Politics. WHY! WHY! Why condemn yourself to evil. Jesus is about YOUR FRUIT, self perservarence, suffering, there is no easy way out which is what you are seeking. Don't volunteer to join the devil and carry their cross.
I will love to call you "brother". I used to use that word casually. There are so few Jesus-like brothers. Hope you find your soul, keep your heart pure and let no devil steer you from heart of Jesus. Especially be wary of those teachers that sent you close to Politic. You don't deserve their cross.
Chris333:Christ does not say, "Believe in me and be saved" He says, "Believe in me and repent".
He does? Who taught you that? John 3:16 is lie? Self-righteous bigotry is making you blind. There is only one teacher, Jesus. Don't let your brothers influence you to believe them over Jesus. Read bible..
BTW, if you ask me, what Jesus said is more important than what brother Paul said. This statement makes me a heretic in modern Christian world. You figure out why.
For God so loved the world..
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already
these are words that Jesus used to teach Nicodemus the teacher of teachers in Judea.
It still stands true to the word and should still teach those who call themselves teachers.
well johnathon, I would say that morality was not the main purpose of Christ's coming to earth, you are right in saying that He came to save us. But, morality is tied in that and is a natural outworking of that. No you cannot be a Christian and knowingly stay in sin, without even the thought of changing. Christ does not say, "Believe in me and be saved" He says, "Believe in me and repent" He always tells sinners to "sin no more". So for the Christian the resurrection is central to our lives, but once we have accepted that sacrifice we must strive to be like Christ. To be a follower of Christ means more than just saying "I am a Christian" it means being a Christian. Also, Paul wrote to most of the Churches concerning issues of morality and false beliefs. The Christian life goes hand in hand with morality. No we shouldn't tell atheists how they should live, but we should hold our own standards within the Church, and if we have the ability to affect government in a way that will support what we believe, then there is no reason why we shouldn't.
maranatha7593: I don't know you and I don't like being associate in your claim. You don't have a clue what I said. I am trying to point out that Jesus was just busy working on Salvation issue, not morality. I guess u and others are smarter than Jesus and way past the salvation issues to talk about morality. Be the judge and spread your morality to others. Even God couldn't control morality on his best and brightest. But I am sure you can legislate and impose your morality to others no problem like most "so-called" Christian leaders think they can. I worry about your salvation your morality you deal with God direct.
I seem to agree with the previous post. Christians do act like that, actually quite a bit and if its a problem than fix it. If not then leave it..
If Christians would stop acting the way they are being portrayed, that would resolve the issue. You want to cry "persecution", but you don't see atheists in screaming and violent protests or committing acts of violence as extreme Christians do. If you can't clean up your own house, don't complain about the neighbor's porch.
jonathanjkim, you are right. ANY kind of immorality - ANY unforgiven sin, for that matter - will keep people out of Heaven. Homosexuality is just one form of immorality which is running rampant in our world. One huge problem today is that so many people try to justify immorality, try to twist scripture to say it's all right - but all forms of immorality are in fact condemned in both the Old and New Testaments.
As you said, the bottom line is to know the Lord, be born again of His Spirit, to walk with Him, to learn of Him, to fellowship with Him daily. The Bible says, "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: behold, old things are passed way, and all things are become new."
Jesus went about doing good, healing all who were afflicted of the devil, and He is still doing so today. Whosoever will may come to Him.
People need to understand that the Bible reports things which it does not condone.
thelordismylight: Homosexual is defined by their sexual act. It is playing of rhetoric, not fact, to claim Homosexuality is about temptation. Brotherly love is one fine thing. Homosexuality is one that involves the act. HOMO - SEX is sin. If you don't believe that, we definitely believe different God.
But having said that, my Jesus will sit with them, not to convert them to Heterosexual but to give them living water which they need a lot more than sexual act. Do other reader actually believe Jesus will sit with them and ask them why do you sleep with Jack when you can sleep with Jane? I absolutely believe not. He will say, come let me give you living water and show you the heaven where your father waits. We will walk together and I will teach you and nurture you. JOIN ME(even as a Homo). Homo(Sinner) can't get in heaven? Some sins can't be forgiven it says in bible but I absolutely believe Jesus can. If he can't I am doomed. hehe.
The Christian is a sacrificial servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, and does not seek to dominate in this corrupt and fallen world. We walk as He walked, and our blessings are not of this world. His peace is available to all who seek Him in truth and spirit. We share the Gospel in love, which may not sound like love to a world in slavery to sin, so that God may be glorified. We do not judge those who turn away from the Truth in Christ , nor would we shed their blood, knowing they will face their Judge in His time.